Former Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) executive and now Nokia CEO Stephen Elop announced during a conference call to investors on Thursday that new low-end Windows Phone handsets will be key to conquering global markets. Comments Mr. Elop, "We need to compete with Android aggressively. The low-end price point war is an important part of that."

This topic is a bit confusing to U.S. phone buyers as mid-range handsets like Nokia Lumia 610 are typically offered for free in their market, although these subsidies come with strings attached -- you must sign a two year contract. But in many other countries customers primarily pay for unsubsidized handsets and then benefit from smaller monthly contract fees.

Nokia is testing how low it can go to battle Android. [Image Source: Frank Pettit]

In such markets, even lower priced handsets are tempting. Android's ability to produce such budget smartphones is a big reason why it's currently enjoying a healthy global lead.

Microsoft initially maintained a very stringent minimal hardware specification for Windows Phone, making budget WinPhones out of the question. But Nokia has been working closely with Microsoft and it appears that the operating system giant has had a change of heart about selling lower end product.

Comments Mr. Elop, "We had plans already to go lower than the 610, [we've found] ways to go even further than we anticipated. [We also plan to] broaden the price point range that we're pursuing with Lumia."

Next week is a big week for both companies at it marks Microsoft's Windows Phone Summit, where it's likely to show off the next generation Windows Phone 8.